A new mural celebrating Stanton Hill’s mining heritage and its future has been unveiled on the rear wall of the Co-op store in the village.
The artwork was commissioned by Ashfield District Council and funded through part of its allocation from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The mural features a miner at one end and a young girl at the other, connected by a railway, flowers and butterflies. The design reflects the area’s industrial past while incorporating elements representing the local community and its future.
It was designed by Nottingham-based artist Anthony Donnelly, of Urban Canvas, and hand-painted by Donnelly alongside Stephen Malcolm, a local artist from neighbouring Pleasley.
The artwork includes a personal connection to the area’s mining history. The lamp depicted in the miner’s hand belonged to Malcolm’s grandfather, who worked at the local pit.
Both artists wanted the lamp included in the mural to reflect the experiences and memories of people with connections to the area’s mining industry.
Donnelly developed the design following consultation and conversations with local residents. He also drew inspiration from the community garden in front of the wall, incorporating flowers, butterflies and other natural features to connect the artwork with the surrounding green space.
The final design was selected by the Teversal, Stanton Hill and Skegby Neighbourhood Forum.
The miner and young girl have been painted in a photo-realistic style. The figures will remain visible throughout the year, partly framed by trees during the summer and more fully exposed in winter.
Ashfield District Council said the Stanton Hill artwork is one of four murals being planned across the district. Locations for the remaining murals have not yet been confirmed.
